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POLICY NO: DSD 16 - CL

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

TO WOMEN

POLICY

Date Resolved By Council: 14 December 1998

Commencement Date: 14 December 1998

Review Date: Ongoing

Responsible Department: Social Development

This policy has been authorised and is included on Council’s Website.

Peter BrownChief Executive Officer

April 2003

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STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO WOMEN POLICY_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MORELAND COUNCIL’S STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO WOMEN

Principles Commitments1. Equity of access to opportunities for women in all

sections of the community.Taking a leadership role in advancing opportunities for women in all sections of the community.

Advocacy to other levels of government to influence policies and funding affecting women’s needs.

2. Participation of women in all levels of decision making in the community

Actively seeking the participation of women in decision making processes and in planning for their community’s future to ensure that the views of women are represented in the community.

Educating and informing the community about issues of concern for women.

3. Promotion of an environment which advances women’s health and well-being and which plans for the current and future needs of women.

Seeking to advocate on appropriate levels of service provision for all women across the community.

Promoting the safety of women through provision of appropriately maintained public venues.

4. Facilitation of links between women’s groups in the community and celebration of diverse roles of women in the community

Fostering opportunities for women across the municipality to come together to identify and discuss shared issues

Promoting change to social attitudes and practices which discriminate against women.

5. Advancement of opportunities that foster women’s ability to make informed financial decisions, including training and mentoring opportunities for women

Fostering training and mentoring opportunities for women.

Encouraging initiatives that support women in making informed financial decisions and in gaining financial independence.

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Principles Commitments Identified Local Actions6. Equity of access to

opportunities for women in all sections of the community.

Taking a leadership role in advancing opportunities for women in all sections of the community.

Advocacy to other levels of government to influence policies and funding affecting women’s needs.

Council could employ a Women’s Access worker to coordinate and communicate information to women in the community about issues/ opportunities

A Women’s budget allocation could be provided to benefit women in the Moreland community.

Council could provide community education forums on access and equity processes.

Council could advocate for more equitable access for minority groups e.g. (there could be a more equitable distribution of the sports dollar for women).

Across Moreland Occasional and after school hours childcare was high on the list for women with children. (Lack of Occasional childcare in Fawkner- Want council to negotiate with Fawkner Leisure Centre to open sessions for community use).

Council could apply to other levels of government for funding for women’s groups.

Council could pass on information from these forums to other levels of government to inform them of women’s issues in Moreland.

Council can provide clear local representation when advocating on women’s issues to other levels of government.

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7. Participation of women in all levels of decision making in the community

Actively seeking the participation of women in decision-making processes and in planning for their community’s future to ensure that the views of women are represented in the community.

Educating and informing the community about issues of concern for women.

Advertise and promote what is available to women in the main community languages and use existing women’s networks to facilitate women’s participation in community decision-making processes e.g. Council page of local paper.

A community development worker would enable involvement in local issues at a local level.

Council could facilitate more forums to provide women with a community voice.

Provision of transport and childcare assists women to take part in decision-making processes.

Council could facilitate women’s access to information about how government policy changes might impact on them.

Council could develop a Central Information Reference Centre to provide coordination and dissemination of community information in main community languages/ different formats.

Council could establish a combined committee across the community to provide education forums for women.

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8. Promotion of an environment which advances women’s health and well being and which plans for the current and future needs of women.

Seeking to advocate on appropriate levels of service provision for all women across the community.

Promoting the safety of women through provision of appropriately maintained public venues.

Council could advocate on behalf of women on health issues e.g. for hospitals to provide single sex only wards (communal showers are especially a concern).

Advocate for increased support to women caring for children or adults with disabilities

Advocate for improved health service access (e.g. Glenroy Community Health Centre – no Doctor based at service), provide mobile breast screen clinics as part of health promotion, encourage alternative health management and options- e.g. menopause management, nursing mother support.

Council could provide better access to health information through linking with existing women’s groups (written information in community languages/ different formats)

Provide better lighting in local parks, e.g. Coburg Lake and better street lighting generally.

Apply stricter permits to shop owners re placing produce on the pathways – difficult for mothers and babies, women with shopping buggies and with physical disabilities to pass safely

Ensure that public toilets are well lit and have enough room for mother and child/ren, for people with disabilities and carers to enter.

Council could provide venues to be available for women to meet in safe, pleasant, informal surroundings (women only)

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9. Facilitation of links between women’s groups in the community and celebration of diverse roles of women in the community

Fostering opportunities for women across the municipality to come together to identify and discuss shared issues

Promoting changes to social attitudes and practices, which discriminate against women.

Facilitate access to networks with other women. Council could provide a list of existing networks e.g. Professional Women’s Register.

Council could foster opportunities for women through a calendar or directory of programs, events, opportunities, groups and networks available to women

It is important that women have opportunities to pass on their skills and experience to other women. Council should support and link women’s groups and continue its support of Neighborhood Houses, which facilitate links between women. (Fawkner group requested the establishment of a Neighborhood House)

Education forums could be held to change attitudes and practices that disadvantage/ discriminate against women

Cultural constraints can make it difficult for women to fully participate in community activities. Council could foster an increased understanding of N.E.S.B. issues in the community.

Advocate to governments and industry for the implementation of more flexible working conditions for women.

Develop a listing of reliable safe home maintenance trades services – (security can be an issue for women). Council could endorse reliable businesses.

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10. Advancement of opportunities that foster women’s ability to make informed to financial decisions, including training and mentoring opportunities for women

Fostering training and mentoring opportunities for women.

Encouraging initiatives that support women in making informed financial decisions and in gaining financial independence.

Council could support local mentoring programs and training opportunities for women in local venues (possibly through community/ cultural grants)

Council could provide information to women re: employment and local work training opportunities for women, (advertise all supports and services) including return to work training, childcare.

Council could advocate to other levels of government for increased work training opportunities for women.

Promote a greater awareness of N.E.S.B. issues to the business services, especially where cultural barriers can make it difficult for some women to take advantage of training opportunities.

Council could foster the provision of flexible, general training programs informing women about money management/ budgeting skills/ bookkeeping, tax, legal, financing etc

Council could facilitate the development of a Business Incubator with a women’s component to facilitate mentoring and exchange of ideas for home based businesses and non-home based businesses as a centre for networking and information.

Foster networking opportunities for women to develop their skills and talents and increase their capacity to be financially independent.

Develop a Women’s Services Directory – Women’s Trades-People/ Businesses etc.

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STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO WOMEN POLICY____________________________________________________________________________

Attachment (2)

NOVEMBER WOMEN’S FORUMS ‘98COMMENTS ABOUT LOCAL ISSUES, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN”S DAY AND THE

FORUM SESSIONS

INTRODUCTION

The community forums highlighted the need for improved access to information and better communication of Council activities. The importance of improved local networking, participation in community decision–making, and increased opportunities for women was seen as significant. The provision and fostering of increased local Business financial/ training opportunities was seen as an important area for Council to support. Health and well-being issues were high on the list, as were concerns for improved community safety. Concerns were also raised about the limited availability of public transport in sections of Moreland.

COMMENTS ABOUT LOCAL ISSUES

The views of local women were sought in developing Council’s Statement of Commitment to Women. Key themes emerging from the forum discussions identifying local actions for proposed principles and commitments are outlined below:

Improved Access To Information

Council needs to advertise and promote/market what is available to women in order for them to participate in the community (groups promoting own activities by word of mouth)

Council could ensure that all material reaches all women by advertising in lots of languages and distributing information in places where there are women

Council Departments need to improve communication with each other

Council could feedback information from forums to other agencies and govt. bodies to gain their support (inform them of women’s issues in Moreland)

Want better communication of Council activities; distribute information in the local paper, through local schools, radio etc.

Council could better foster opportunities for women in the arts field. Council could develop a calendar or directory including programs, events, opportunities, groups and networks available to women (women only)

Better advertising of Infocom

CCR Brunswick redevelopment – opportunities to encourage women’s business

Regular segment on women’s issues, radio, local paper, website

Need information about Council / community services such as Home Maintenance want more advertising from Council

Want more information through the Council page of the local paper - this is good but too limited

Council's support role unclear. Women want to know of Council services available to them. A single contact point seen as an advantage.

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Suggest a Community Information Officer be made available from Council to give information to local networks about Council Services

More contact with the local Councillor

Need more information - distributed through local paper, existing groups, Community Health Centre, kindergartens

Want development of a Central Information Reference Centre e.g. Moreland Childcare Network

Written information in community language/ different formats. 24 hour service

How do you get in the system? Need for Council to employ a Women’s Access worker

Council could support volunteers and support groups (understanding their needs and linking them in)- recognise the importance of volunteers, training for volunteers

Provide training for Committee of Management Member Kindergartens

Provide easy hand-over procedures for playgroups e.g. use of community facilities, roles/responsibilities

Importance Of Local Networks

Strongly support the Neighbourhood Houses. They are the first step for many women in networking or learning

Local networks are important – supportive

Want Neighbourhood House/ more local recreational opportunities

Funding support for women’s groups

Establish Neighbourhood House in Fawkner

Want more/ better advertising of women’s groups especially around special events, could advertise in schools and in local newspapers/ school newsletters

Need to have groups to support young women with common issues

Council support should be given to groups, especially those that raise funds

Playgroups are an important network

Facilitate access to networks with other women. Particularly in professional/ business area.

Council could provide a list of existing networks or a professional women’s register

Promote an understanding of the importance and diversity of women’s roles in the community - valuing and improving self-esteem of women

Advertise all supports and services to women i.e. theatre spaces, art studios, craft market information, in the Council page of the local papers. This would aid the networking and information processes that link women to each other.

Want a community development worker to look at strategies to bring the Fawkner community together.

When fostering opportunities for women to come together the cultural background needs to be taken into account

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Lack of social contact a problem. There needs to be an increase in local activities for women.

There needs to be a wider coordination of women’s groups in Moreland

Cost is often an obstacle in fostering opportunities for women to come together

Increase opportunities for women to come together and share common issues- combine activities. Lack of transport often prohibits this.

It is important that women pass on their skills and experience as women to other women e.g. life-skills, Drop-in Centres / Neighbourhood Houses would facilitate this.

Coordination of information about women’s networks and local community groups

Council could apply for funding on behalf of women’s groups e.g. to State and fed. Govt. to assist them

Link ‘like’ groups e.g. playgroups, walking groups with each other

NEED A WOMEN’S BUDGET - needs to benefit women and to measure changes - benefits to justify money.

Council can take a positive role and work together with women across the municipality

Opportunities For Women

Support cross-age opportunities-breaking the perceptions of mistrust e.g. old and young (all to often activities are age specific)

Some school policies work against young women (e.g. not allowed to participate in some sports)

Provide support to older women caring for children or adults with disabilities

Lack of Occasional child care in Fawkner- Want Council to negotiate with Fawkner Leisure Centre to open sessions for community use

Young women have the right to be listened to

Young women should be treated as equal members of the community

Important letters from schools/Council/Governments should be addressed to all the family so that all can be informed/ have a say

Access is often given to the ‘stronger’ group. Minority groups are often discriminated against

Education forums could be held to change attitudes and practices that disadvantage/ discriminate against women

THERE IS AN IMPORTANCE THAT LOCAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES BE CONSIDERED (localised opportunities for women)

Women need space to explore talents and capacities. e.g. women may have art or craft skills (saleable products) but may not know where there are classes or studios to learn more and create new networking opportunities.

There is an inequitable distribution of sports dollars for women

No personal space within school grounds and in some parts of the community –need for personal space

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Young women can find it difficult to access systems of influence in the community

Opportunities should be equal for all, without discrimination

A community garden would be good for building community relationships

Need more local recreational facilities

Look at the community and cultural grants criteria to include mentoring programs or opportunities.

Venues / facilities for WOMEN ONLY

Childcare should be available and accessible

Participation In Community Decision-Making

Women are concerned about all things in the community not just those deemed ‘women’s issues’. There is a need for council to understand that many different processes are needed to include women in the community in all areas. i.e. street closures, consultations and training meetings for women interested in standing for Council.

Hold more forums (like this one) where women’s views are listened to.

Consultation to involve women in community decision making– have large meeting for information – then small meetings to get community input from those who have registered interest in participating

Provision and advertising of transport and childcare for forums/ consultations is important - enables women to attend

Want to be able to have clear local representation when advocating to Government bodies. There needs to be clear representation to advocate on all levels of service provision

Want to be involved in local issues to do with women at local level

Want education forums on access and equity processes i.e. Us and them, needs and demands

Education forums- with clear aims. Establish a combined committee across municipality

Concern at possible closure of Edward Street facility. Users wish to be CONSULTED

Financial Training Opportunities

Council could provide information on employment and training opportunities for women

Provide local training in work opportunities for women including return to work training

Advocate to government- local or otherwise to increase training opportunities for women

Women want flexible, general training sessions on subjects such as bookkeeping, tax, legal, financing, budgeting etc. Critical of TAFE training - not looking for accreditation but information. High on the list was hearing from other business women's success. Times varied from breakfast sessions, night-time eg.7pm sessions or middle of the day (subject to childcare). Many also considered that the Internet was a good medium but still wanted the personal contact. These training sessions were also seen as networking sessions to alleviate the loneliness of being a home based business and to broaden views outside ones business. Sharing, informal support and networking were high on the list.

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STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO WOMEN POLICY____________________________________________________________________________Business / Training And Mentoring

A BUSINESS INCUBATOR - was high on the list for home based businesses, as a centre for networking and information. A women’s component was requested in any proposed incubator to facilitate mentoring and exchange of ideas.

NESB- Cultural barriers make it difficult for some women to take advantage of training etc. Business services do not generally consider NESB issues.

IMAGE of women in business was a concern. Particularly young women felt that men they have to deal with in day to day business and banks had prejudices. Also self image was an issue, having no time outside their business and home meant that they did not also know if they were doing the best.

Budgeting skills are very important to learn/ pass on. Low income families experience particular difficulties and this is of real concern

Council could look at opportunities to assist women to learn about financial management/ financial independence

CHILDCARE- Occasional and after-hours child care was high on the list for women with children to enable them to access employment and training opportunities.

Want good sound financial investment advice (Seminars on financial advice and management) e.g. rollovers, superannuation, retirement

Advocate for financial services or programs that educate women about money management. It is vital that money management is not only seen in the context of crisis but as a preventative measure to financial crisis.

There is a need for education with young women that they are not an attachment to men and that they don’t need to only spend money on their appearance.

Gambling opportunities are too easily available/ attractive– this is a problem, especially where family income is low. It really eats into the budget.

Health And Wellbeing

Doctors based at Brunswick Community Health Centre not at Glenroy – have to travel there or go to private doctor

Many elderly people in Glenroy. Not much in the way of health services in Glenroy. No doctor. Want more nursing services to be available

People gaining health information by accident, not being informed – whom do you ask? What questions do you ask? – ideally GP’s

Health -Level of servicing? Re Empowerment and information for new mums- develop Nursing Mothers Association links with Maternal and Child Health

Need to encourage alternative health management and options- e.g. menopause management

Need to improve waiting lists at Community Health Centres–e.g. podiatry and physiotherapy

More information required re PHACS and YAFS, about how changes will impact on women

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Stress management and lifestyle management was considered important and not catered for in normal health services.

Establish women’s groups that are appropriate to (foster) the well-being of women – both physically and mentally

Ensure that venues are sensitive to women’s needs –e.g. NO MEN – there is discomfort, difficulty when talking about women’s health issues when men are present.

Advocate on behalf of women that hospitals should provide single sex only wards, communal showers are especially a concern – should be single sex.

There needs to be an understanding of /about women’s issues by service providers

Provide Yoga/ Tai Chi –stress release programs

Provide mobile breast screen clinics as part of health promotion

Maternal and Child Health information packages on services for women with young children, specifically for Fawkner (i.e. per suburb)

Not enough specific services in Broadmeadows / Glenroy area

Women concerned about lifestyle changes, e.g. the employment situation- part-time jobs decreased spending ability leading to lower standard of living

Concerned about the long hours people often work now to make a living. Longer hours erode available family time and can increase stress for all

Want recreation venues that have times when whole facility is available to women only

Not enough time for everything, involved with many community activities and family responsibilities

Community Safety

Want more spending on community safety

Safety is an issue at night

Apply stricter permits to shop owners re placing produce on the pathways – difficult for mothers and babies, women with shopping buggies and those with physical disabilities to pass

Ensure that public toilets are well lit and have enough room for mother and child/ren, for people with disabilities and carers to enter. Provide unisex disability toilets

Allow more venues to be available for women to meet in nice informal surroundings

Need for lockable storage e.g. for playgroups at venues

Need safe local recreational opportunities for women of all ages (including access to childcare) and for all the community

Provide better lighting in local Parks (e.g. Coburg Lake) and better street lighting generally.

Public transport is not adequate at night- Council could advocate for improved transport measures

Pram/wheelchair access difficult on Sydney Road (Brunswick and Coburg)

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Want pedestrian crossing on Sydney Rd and Grantham St

Need for community policing and need for ongoing dialogue on community safety issues e.g. domestic violence

Want access to reliable safe maintenance service in the home – Women’s trade groups could be used – local connection and credibility

Transport Issues

Transport Hours of service from Glenroy to Broadmeadows should be extended

There needs to be better transport services linking with major services. Council should lobby for this.

The limited availability of public transport in sections of Moreland restricts opportunities for women when they find it difficult to access e.g. Fawkner bus on Q route – goes through shopping centre, but only between approx. 11.30am and 3.30pm

Council could advocate for improved public transport as lack of transport impacts greatly on the lives of women

Public transport is difficult for disabled people to use. Many women are caring for disabled family members.

SUGGESTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Suggestions were sought from women about suitable activities for International Women’s Day, March 1999. Suggestions from the forums were as follows:

Different crafts display- through the generations and ethnic crafts

Dancing – presenting ethnic groups

Invite local groups to contribute e.g. ask them what they would like to display/ do (This could lead to more community displays with contributions from local groups)

Luncheon with representatives from groups by invitation, at a key venue

Local area Women’s Day

A march /a picnic/ a festival

Each group to celebrate in their own way, as well as an open day for all groups to participate in

A day that provides a mechanism for collecting women’s stories- ordinary women – not tall poppies

Try something new e.g. parachuting (suggestion from 80 year old who had just been abseiling)

A combination of celebration of women and information dissemination – issues and discussions workshops

Arts and entertainment to inform the community on women’s issues

Make sure that the event caters for older women too

For all ages, in local areas

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Bands, food

Have media coverage

Speeches (to be short)

Relevant/ important people should be there

‘Bread and Roses’ theme

Evening function/ Saturday afternoon

Entertainment (similar to the Women’s Forum held in May)

Local exhibition

Options re child care

Weather options – indoor/ outdoor

GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE FORUM

The forum was well devised and well run. The small number of women allowed opportunity for participants to contribute to the discussion

It’s very encouraging to have a place to speak up

Community fabric has been ripped apart; we must work for social cohesion

Keep following up and communicating progress and process of issues raised

Forums like this help motivate women to work together

Wonderful opportunity for half of the population to have input

Keep it going

Very friendly and informative

Want a businesswomen’s forum in the local community and to hear about networking opportunities for businesswomen

Fantastic, very informative, we were listened to

Felt informal enough to feel free to make comments

Would have liked more information prior to the session to assist productive, workable ideas

It was interesting

Thank you for listening to us

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